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Members of Community Baptist Church preach the Gospel from the street

Published by Aaron on Fri, 03/10/2017 - 16:54

By:

Steve Smith ◆ SSmith@LEBANONDAILYRECORD.COM

It’s just after dark Thursday and a small group is gathered at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Elm Street in front of the Walgreens Pharmacy. Young girls can be heard serenading the line of cars with “Give Me That Old Time Religion.” Then Geoff Crisp steps up as traffic stops at the light and begins preaching.

“Christ died for us. Christ died for you, sir. He loves us. Jesus loves you today. He died for you on the cross at Calvary. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” said Crisp as some drivers at the intersection honked their approval.

Street preachers from Community Baptist Church have been spreading the word every week, some for years. Crisp said he has been preaching for about a month and a half. Steve Weller has been doing it for 17 years and recently started again when he returned to Lebanon.

Crisp explained that you don’t have to be an ordained minister to be a street preacher, “just called to go out and preach the word.”

Why do they do it? Crisp said the reason is clear.
“The Bible says it,” Crisp said. “It says in the Book of Mark that we’re called to go preach the gospel to the world. There are a lot of people in this town that are hurt and broken and hopeless, they are facing addictions of all kinds with no answers to that.

For the complete article, see the Weekend print edition of The Daily Record, or view the e-Edition online.